Viksit panchayats offer us a pathway to Viksit Bharat

Source: The post Viksit panchayats offer us a pathway to Viksit Bharat has been created, based on the article “Viksit panchayats offer us a pathway to Viksit Bharat” published in “Live mints” on 29th April 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2- Polity-devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

News: The article highlights the crucial role of Gram Panchayats (GP) and Sarpanches in advancing India’s development, emphasizing the decentralization of power and the use of digital tools for better governance. It also stresses the importance of empowering women leaders to enhance public services and meet development goals by 2047. Viksit panchayats offer us a pathway to Viksit Bharat

What is the Concept of Viksit Bharat?

Concept of Viksit Bharat: Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s vision in “Gitanjali,” Viksit Bharat aims for India to become a developed nation by 2047, emphasizing a society where knowledge is free and everyone is dignified.

Rural Focus: With 64.1% of the population in rural areas governed by Gram Panchayats, the development in these regions is vital.

Empowering Local Governance: States with greater power devolution like Kerala and Karnataka have shown better socio-economic outcomes through programs like Kudumbashree and the GP Human Development Index, exemplifying effective local governance.

How Important are Gram Panchayats in Achieving Viksit Bharat?

Central Role in Development: Gram Panchayats are crucial for grassroots empowerment, directly impacting India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Decentralization of Authority: Effective decentralization, where local bodies like Gram Panchayats have the autonomy to plan and implement projects, correlates with improved socio-economic development.

Policy Support: The GP Development Plan (GPDP) encourages local stakeholder involvement, enhancing the efficiency and relevance of development initiatives.

Digital innovations such as Aadhaar, UPI, Co-win, ABHA, and the Universal Citizen Interface are transforming citizen services. These tools help Sarpanches make informed decisions and align local development plans with state and national schemes.

How are women empowered through local governance?

Constitutional Mandate: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act mandates a 33.3% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, ensuring women’s participation in local governance.

Impactful Leadership: Empowered women leaders at the grassroots have driven significant societal changes. For example, Jyoti Behar Devi, a Sarpanch from Jharkhand, successfully banned alcohol in her panchayat and promoted livelihood opportunities. Anita Devi from Bihar transformed her vehicle into an ambulance, reducing home deliveries from 65% to 8% by improving healthcare access.

What should be done?

Empower Gram Panchayats: As seen in Kerala and Karnataka, where devolution of powers has boosted socio-economic development, similar strategies should be implemented nationwide.

Implement Local Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs): Aligning projects with community needs through GP Development Plans.

Customize Good Governance Models: Scale models like Andhra Pradesh’s ‘village secretariat’ for streamlined governance and improved service delivery across different regions.

Build Competent Leadership Teams: Develop strong leadership and organizational structures within Gram Panchayats to ensure the timely delivery of quality services, mirroring successful team dynamics seen at higher levels of governance.

Question for practice:

Discuss the role of Gram Panchayats in advancing India’s development, focusing on decentralization, digital tools, and the empowerment of women leaders.